If you are having a bad day, get another one and get it quick.
-- Rissie Harris

It was cold this morning when you got out of bed. On the way to the bathroom, you stepped over your kids’ toys, the same toys you kept reminding them to pick up last night. Geez, who left the seat up, and why are you the only one who ever replaces the toilet tissue?!

You had to yell at each kid at least 7 times for them to get a move on or they’d be late for school. Somehow the coffee beans didn’t fully brew so they floated around your coffee cup, leaving specks of black in your mouth and stuck to and between your teeth. And you cannot, no matter how you angle your head and the floss, get that piece of leftover chicken from between your back teeth. It’s uncomfortable and it aches. And what’s that pain in your knee about?

The news reports said taxes were going up today. Yesterday, your boss said there’s a freeze on salary increases. Gas prices are at an all-time high; your gas tank and wallet are on empty. Where are the keys to the car? Why aren’t the kids ready? Who left the milk out of the refrigerator? Did you pay the light bill? Where’s the invoice? Who’s that yelling? You’re out of Advil! Why aren’t the kids ready?!

You’re having a stressful day and it’s not even 8:00 a.m. yet. At this rate, what’ll the rest of your day be like?

Stop right now. Take a deep breath. Deeper. Hold it for 10 seconds. While you’re holding it, pray, “Jesus, this day is your day. It is a great day and nothing in it can frustrate, stress, or defeat me.” Let the breath go. Take another deep breath, say it again, ““Jesus, this day is your day. It is a great day and nothing in it can frustrate, stress, or defeat me.” Let the breath go. Do this as many times as you need to, each time allowing yourself to come down and feel calm.

Now, start over, right where you are. Slow down, do one thing at a time. No multi-tasking, this is not the day for your superpowers. Instead focus your attention on one issue until it’s resolved or filed. You may not finish all you’d intended, you might even get behind schedule. But realize nothing gets done well when you are frustrated and distracted, and you owe it to yourself and those around you to give and do your very best. Besides, you deserve one day to go in slow motion. At least you changed how your day was unfolding.

Tomorrow when you get up, it may still be cold, the kids may be just as slow, and the economy will still be out of your favor, but at least you gave yourself permission today to start it over and slow it down. Who knows, you may decide that tomorrow and the days to follow should be spent in this mode.

Or, you can squash all this, go home sick, and just start over tomorrow.

Sadiqqa © 2007